Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
The Occupational Health and Safety Section (OHS) of the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 2018 renamed its International Health and Safety Award in honor of long-time member Leslie Nickels, Ph.D. (1953-2017). This annual award recognizes individuals and organizations with outstanding achievement in the field of OHS outside the United States. Friend and colleague, Robyn Robbins recalls her work as an as an educator and industrial hygienist to advance social justice for disenfranchised workers around the world. Dr. Nickels was the heart of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Occupational Health; she brought her love and enthusiasm for connections, innovations and learning for protecting and promoting the health of working people and for primary prevention of occupational diseases and injuries. Dr. Nickels coordinated work with the Collaborating Centres on strengthening health systems for workers’ health and developed training materials on occupational health for primary care providers. She created the global GeoLibrary and developed WHO training materials for occupational health in high risk sectors. Lastly, she facilitated the WHO/MOPH workshop on health coverage for workers in August 2016 in Bangkok and wrote wonderful articles about reaching out to poor workers with occupational health interventions. Ms. Robbins presentation was at the OHS Section’s awards luncheon on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the San Diego Convention Center, during the APHA’s 146th Annual Meeting & Expo from Nov. 10-14, 2018.
The Occupational Health and Safety Section (OHS) of the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 2018 renamed its International Health and Safety Award in honor of long-time member Leslie Nickels, Ph.D. (1953-2017). This annual award recognizes individuals and organizations with outstanding achievement in the field of OHS outside the United States. Friend and colleague, Robyn Robbins recalls her work as an as an educator and industrial hygienist to advance social justice for disenfranchised workers around the world. Dr. Nickels was the heart of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Occupational Health; she brought her love and enthusiasm for connections, innovations and learning for protecting and promoting the health of working people and for primary prevention of occupational diseases and injuries. Dr. Nickels coordinated work with the Collaborating Centres on strengthening health systems for workers’ health and developed training materials on occupational health for primary care providers. She created the global GeoLibrary and developed WHO training materials for occupational health in high risk sectors. Lastly, she facilitated the WHO/MOPH workshop on health coverage for workers in August 2016 in Bangkok and wrote wonderful articles about reaching out to poor workers with occupational health interventions. Ms. Robbins presentation was at the OHS Section’s awards luncheon on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the San Diego Convention Center, during the APHA’s 146th Annual Meeting & Expo from Nov. 10-14, 2018.
